Man allegedly took $100K meant for school supplies for 'needy children' to buy drugs, gamble

A Cincinnati man allegedly collected about $100,000 from people who thought they were making donations to help pay for school supplies for underprivileged children.

He told police he stole the money to "fund his gambling and drug habits," according to Hamilton County Common Pleas records.

Jerry Hinkle, 67, faces theft and telecommunications fraud charges. He was arrested Tuesday, according to records.

Hinkle admitted he tricked people into sending him about $100,000, according to a police report.

He allegedly solicited funds from various victims, including elderly people, telling them they'd be funding the Greater Cincinnati Police Athletic Organization. The organization was described by Hinkle as donating "money to needy children and police in the Southwest Ohio area for school supplies and shop with a cop," police wrote.

Shop with a cop is an event funded by police departments and donations that allows officers to accompany children from low-income families as they shop for needed items.

Hinkle's bond was set at 10 percent of $50,000.

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